Chilli prices surge again in Purwokerto
Purwokerto (ANTARA) - Prices for several types of chilli in Manis Market, Purwokerto, Banyumas Regency, Central Java, have surged again as supplies from farmers decrease due to crop regeneration and drought, which has caused older plants to dry out and perish.
“The price of red bird’s eye chilli rose today to Rp80,000 per kilogram after remaining around Rp75,000 per kg over the past week,” said Anjar, a vegetable trader at Manis Market, Purwokerto, on Sunday.
According to him, price increases were also observed in green bird’s eye chilli, rising from Rp60,000 per kg to Rp70,000 per kg, as well as large red chillies, which rose from Rp55,000 per kg to Rp60,000 per kg.
Meanwhile, the price of curly red chilli has remained around Rp65,000 per kg over the last week, following an increase from Rp60,000 per kg the previous week.
“The price increase for several types of chilli is driven by the minimal supply from farmers,” he said.
In a separate statement, the Head of the Department of Trade, Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises (DPKUKM) of Banyumas Regency, Gatot Eko Purwadi, acknowledged that chilli prices in the region have risen, though not as significantly as in several other areas.
According to him, the price hike is due to the factor of chilli crop regeneration, or the transition period from old plants to new ones.
“The various chillies currently being sold are the remaining harvests from old plants, as the new plants have not yet entered production,” he said.
Meanwhile, Teguh Suprapto, a farmer and member of the Indonesian Chilli Champion Association (ACCI) in Banjarnegara Regency, confirmed that farmers in various chilli centres, including Banjarnegara, are currently undergoing crop regeneration or rejuvenation.
He estimates that production from the new plants could be harvested starting in late October 2026, meaning chilli prices in the market have the potential to surge again as supplies rely on old plants that are no longer productive.
“On the other hand, drought factors are causing plants to dry out and perish quickly. Harvest yields are also suboptimal due to limited water availability,” he added.